Orchestral
Groups
Love playing music? Come and be part of an orchestra.
Experience the vibrant sound, energy and enjoyment of making music with an orchestra.
Our orchestral groups bring together adults with all levels of musical experience to play everything from classical music and film scores to rock and pop.
There are no auditions, and our music is arranged so that players at different levels (grades 1-8) can make great music together.
Your first session is free.
We have a range of membership options, including fully and part-supported places for those who would otherwise find it difficult to take part.
An orchestra with a difference
Traditional orchestras can sometimes make it difficult for musicians at very different stages to play together. We do things differently.
Our music is specially arranged with parts at different levels, so you can choose something that suits where you are as a musician.
Want a challenge? Try a more advanced part.
Want to build your confidence or really get to grips with the music? Choose something a little easier and receive expert additional support during sessions.
It means musicians with different levels of experience can experience the satisfaction of playing the same music together.
Different parts. One great orchestra.
See what it feels like
There’s something special about hearing your instrument become part of a much bigger sound.
Take a look inside one of our sessions and see what happens when all those different parts come together.
Inside a session
Watch our musicians rehearse, work on the music and build the sound together.
In performance
See our musicians taking their music beyond the rehearsal room.
Play more than you might expect
Being part of an orchestral group doesn’t mean playing only classical music.
Our groups explore music from different genres and eras, including film, classical, rock, pop and more.
That variety gives you the chance to experience different musical styles, develop as a player and discover pieces you might not otherwise have played
There’s a part for your instrument too!
Violins, violas, cellos, flutes, clarinets, saxophones and brass are common orchestral instruments, but our groups are open to including other instruments too, such as accordions, melodicas, recorders, harmonicas and electric guitars.
We like to find fresh ways for diverse musicians to contribute to the overall sound.
Not sure whether your instrument would work? Get in touch and ask us.
Who can join?
Our orchestral groups are for adults aged 18+ who already have some basic skills on an instrument.
There are no auditions.
As a guide, our musical parts generally span around Grade 1 to Grade 8 ability or equivalent, so you don’t need to be an advanced musician to take part but equally, if you are more experienced, you will find it rewarding.
You might be:
Wanting your first experience of playing in an orchestra
Returning to your instrument after years away
Looking for a friendly way to develop your playing
An experienced musician who simply wants to make music with other people
Looking to challenge yourself with new repertoire
Looking for a lower-pressure way to enjoy an instrument you already play
You don’t need a certificate or a particular grade. The Grade 1–8 description is simply a guide to the range of playing levels our arrangements are designed to accommodate.
Can’t travel to a session?
You can also take part online.
Our online "virtual orchestral" option is available to make taking part accessible to musicians who are unable to travel to an in-person group for a range of reasons.
Do I need to read music?
You’ll need to be able to read some traditional music notation or Guitar TAB to take part in our orchestral groups.
You don’t need to be an expert sight-reader. The important thing is having enough familiarity with written music to follow and work on your part.
If you prefer playing from chord sheets or by ear, one of our Rock Collectives may suit you better.
From rehearsal to performance
Regular sessions are only part of the experience.
Throughout the year, there can be opportunities to take part in concerts, performances, workshops, special projects and other musical events alongside musicians from your own group and the wider Misfits Music community.
Performing can give you something exciting to work towards and the chance to experience coming together in front of an audience.
But you don’t need to arrive at your first session feeling like a confident performer.
You can build your confidence with the group and choose which additional opportunities are right for you. There is never pressure to perform which allows you to decide when you are ready.
Find your orchestral group
Join us in Moseley, Bournville or online.
Choose the option that works best for you, then come and experience your first free trial session.
Moseley Misfits
Tuesday evenings | 7.15–8.45pm | Moseley
Enjoy a varied mix of music, challenge yourself at a level that works for you and experience playing as part of a friendly orchestra.
More about Moseley Misfits
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Tuesdays, 7.15–8.45pm during term time.
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The Moseley Exchange
149–153 Alcester Road
Moseley
Birmingham
B13 8JP -
There is no dedicated on-site car park at the Moseley Exchange but a public council car park sits directly opposite the courtyard entrance Moseley Village Car Park or there is on-street parking in the surrounding area -Bus Routes: Route 50 & 50a - Frequent direct services running between the Maypole/Druids Heath and Birmingham city centre, stopping right on Alcester Road near the village. Route 35 - Connects Ridgemount Drive and surrounding areas to the city centre via Moseley. Route 1 - Runs locally between St James Rd and other regional points.
Moseley Village Train Station - Located a very short walk from the Moseley Exchange, providing direct rail connections along the restored Camp Hill Line.
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The Moseley Exchange features full wheelchair and disabled access, including a passenger lift to the first-floor.
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Bring your instrument, any equipment you normally need (eg. music stand) and your music.
We’ll let you know what the group is working on and what you’ll need before your first session.
Got questions?
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Not at all. Plenty of people come back to music after a break. Our groups are designed to bring together people with different levels of experience.
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No. There are no auditions to join our regular groups.
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You don’t need to worry about keeping up or proving yourself. Our music leaders are experienced in helping musicians with different abilities play together.
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Absolutely. Many people do. Music gives you something in common from the moment you arrive and we’ll help you find your way in the group.
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Please get in touch. We may be able to help you source a suitable instrument, and you could also apply to have an instrument provided through our instrument support scheme.
Availability will depend on the instrument and what we have available, so please contact us to talk through the options.
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Take a look at our Orchestral, Drumming, and Rock Collective pages to see the kind of music we play and how each session works. Choose the one that sounds most like you.
And remember, your first session is free, so you can experience a group before deciding whether you’d like to continue.
Trying a group is easy
Find your group
Choose a rock collective, orchestral group or drumming group and find the location and session that works for you.Book your free trial session
Tell us which group you’d like to try and we’ll send you the information you need before you come.Come and make some music
Meet the group, experience a session and see whether it feels right for you.
No audition. No pressure. Just come and give it a try.
Join us this September
Our new term begins w/c 7 September.
Our groups work on music together as the term progresses, so new members join at the beginning of term. That means you can learn alongside everyone else, settle into the group and get the most from your experience.
Final date for new members this term: 18th September
Missed the deadline or not ready yet? Don’t worry, you can join our waiting list, and we’ll let you know when bookings open for our January term.
Ready to make some music?
You don't have to decide whether Misfits Music is for you before you arrive.
Come and find out. Your first session is free. There a range of membership options after including a range of partially and supported places for those in need.